Interesting Development

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe nodded, though now she was chewing her cheek, trying to think if she actually could fulfill her promise, and if Quinn would actually go along with it. Zoe liked to think she could talk him into it... but she was also concerned, considering everyone else who was coming along. It really felt as if she were inviting him to chaperon on a double-date, and that sounded like Quinn-specific torture to Zoe.

Well, she wouldn't focus on it too long, not with the opportunity to gush about her new favorite person. Ezra insisting that it was good just made Zoe flush all the more, looking down at her toes for a moment. The slap had her jumping. "Right!" she said, not immediately realizing what she was agreeing too. She had to let out a slight laugh as Ezra stumbled over coming up with the right terminology for it.

"I understand," Zoe said, nodding. She had to put on a slightly teasing smile of her own. "But if you really wanted to date Alexandra, I don't think you'd need to use something like this to get her to agree."

[Ezra Cooper]

If Zoe had voiced out the fact that it did sound like a double date, Ezra would vehemently deny it. There was no date element except for Zoe and Riley. They were the sole purpose of Ezra's venture.

And then she did and Ezra chuckled, shaking his head. "No way. Girl sees me as her big brother. As much as I am as dashing as, if not more than Jamie Lanister, I don't condone that kind of love." He shook his head and rubbed the back of his head and stretched to get rid of the awkwardness he felt.

"Anyway! Any ideas as to where we should map out our expedition?"

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Big brother? Zoe looked askance at her friend, but, well, she saw no reason to secondguess what Ezra had to say. Perhaps she'd see it later. She didn't quite get the other bit, a reference to some character on a television show most likely (most of Zoe's television watching began and ended with poetry readings and Disney films). She just smiled and nodded for now, telling herself she'd discover the truth sooner or later.

"Oh, I have some," Zoe said. She pulled out her phone, quickly keying up a map of Montana. "There are some neat areas in Glacial National Park, which is considered to be one of the places to see in Montana. There are also some other parks and such, if we want to go the nature route," Zoe pulled a few up and tilted the phone so that Ezra could see, while using her other hand to yet again tuck some curls behind her ear.

[Ezra Cooper]

Ezra wasn't concentrating enough on Zoe to see the look on her face suggesting that she was confused about what he was saying. Even if he did, he wouldn't have said anything pertaining to it. Well, about Game of Thrones maybe but the first bit, probably not.

He only looked over to her when she got her phone out. Her suggestion that they went to the national park was met with an enthusiastic nod. "I've been there before with...family. Yeah I'd like that." He grinned. "Okay. So we're set on you asking Quinn and Riley while I ask Alex, yeah?" He inched towards his portfolio, keeping his sights on Zoe.

"D'you still need any help? Sorry I wasn't any before. I am not an expert yet." He cringed and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe nodded as Ezra confirmed the park location and then their setup. "Yes, that sounds right," she said as he finished. Zoe couldn't help but smile slightly as she watched Ezra edging toward his portfolio, however. She knew the draw that art and their own projects could have on someone all too well. She didn't even blame him for the tentative question he posed her next.

"No," she said, shaking her head, "I think I'm done for the day," she looked around for a moment, then realized that she technically had photos in the dark room. "I mean, I'll need to get my photos out of the dark room first," she said, flushing and pointing that direction. "And, ah, it's alright. That you didn't, that you couldn't with the one," Zoe said, adding another shrug. She took a few steps toward the dark room, hesitated long enough to confirm whether or not he needed her further, and then almost darted off.

She'd have to convince Riley (easy) and Quinn (hard) to come on a trip now... and for a change, Zoe was more excited than nervous, something that she hoped transferred well as she looked up at the pictures hanging in the room, her gaze again going toward the mystery one. Maybe there was something she could do with it...